Supplied new to Lease Plan, France for Excaliber, Stuttgart, Germany on 29 Sep 2000.

In 2000, Lamborghini debuted the follow-up to the Diablo SV-R, the GTR which was based on the road-going production version Diablo GT featuring the characteristic large NACA air duct in the front bonnet and large air intake atop the rear bonnet. With only 30 to be built, the GTRs were to be the replacement for the SV-Rs which has served for four years in single-make Super Trofeo series, and first introduced to the world motoring press at the 1999 Bologna Motor Show.

The Diablo GTR was a purpose-built racing car from the ground up. The cars sported full roll cages to protect drivers and a large rear wing bolted directly to the frame to stabilize the rear end at high speeds. Additionally, Lamborghini kept weight down by stripping out the entire interior so just a driver’s seat and minimal instruments and switches remained, as with most racing cars creature comforts were stripped out to save weight.

The GTR was built entirely of carbon fiber with only the roof and doors remaining metal, per the rules for rigidity and safety. Adding to the car’s racy looks, plexiglass windows with small sliding racing air inlet replaced full glass windows and providing a modicum of air circulation into the cockpit.

The famous Lamborghini 6.0 liter V12 was retained, the most powerful motor the company had built to date, tipping 590BHP (40BHP more than the SV-R motor) which propelled the cars to top speeds of 210+MPH.

This 2000 Lamborghini Diablo GTR (#2492) was originally purchased by the Stefan Ratel Organization (SRO) and campaigned in 2001 by Autovitesse appearing in silver livery and eventually bought and raced by long-time Lamborghini campaigners Reiter Engineering in the 2002 Super Trofeo series.

The GTR was returned to its original orange color combination during 2012-2013 while undergoing a full restoration when every part and component was either replaced or reconditioned before being reassembled back into the car.

The Diablo GTR was the most audacious car Lamborghini had built to date with revised aerodynamics, more sophisticated electronics and endless power from the big-bore 6.0 V12 engine. A beast for the track even by today’s standards, a real chance to drive one of the first examples of Lamborghini’s factory-backed racing efforts.